Employees of the consumer goods firm Unilever are to stage industrial action over new pension deals.
Leaders of the unions Unite, Usdaw and GMB are planning to call to strikes at eight different sites around the UK. The strikes will last for up to 12 days and commence on the 17th January. 
The industrial action will hit the production of goods at the sites which include household favourites such as Marmite and PG Tips tea bags.
A spokesperson from Unilever said that the company was “deeply concerned by the disproportionate action” the unions were taking. However, the unions say that the proposal to stop the company’s final-salary pension scheme will mean that staff could lose up to 40% of their retirement income.
The employees striking will mainly be factory floor staff, who work at sites in Purfleet, Port Sunlight, Warrington, Leeds, Crumlin, Gloucester, Manchester, Burton-on-Trent and Ewloe in Wales.
The unions added that the action would halt production of Unilever’s leading brands, including Marmite, Dove soap, PG Tips, Pot Noodle and Helman’s Mayonnaise.
Unilever employs 7000 people nationwide and 2500 workers took part in the first of the national walk-outs in December.
National Officer for Unite, Jennie Formby, said: “It would seem that Unilever believed the workers would give up after one day’s strike but they are badly mistaken.
“The workforce is angry that the company has refused to meet us or to attend talks at the conciliation service Acas.”
National officer, Allan Black for the GMB added: “Unilever need to get the message that profitable companies will not be allowed to walk away from their savings commitments to their loyal workforce.”
Unilever responded by saying that the decision to close the final-salary pension scheme “was a tough but necessary choice which reflects the realities of rising life expectancy and increased market volatility.
“We believe the provision of final salary pensions is a broken model which is no longer appropriate for Unilever.
“It is our responsibility to protect the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of our business, and to do so is in the best interests of our people.”
They added that the new pension schemes were “exceptionally competitive” and that after receiving feedback from its workers had been enhanced further still.
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